Liquid-vending machine



J. RINALDI.

LIQUID VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED'SEPT. I5, I9I9.

1 ,430, 89. Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

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10 J0 5 i Q K 2; %y I 90: 'H v I] {I ""1; M 4 7 I Q I [HI I I, -M-- Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

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' 1. RINALDI.

LIQUID VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1919.

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Patented Sept. 26, M22,

Urine tease JOSEPH RINALDI, OF NEKJV YORK, N. Y.

nrourn-vnnnrne MACHINE.-

T 0 aZZcu/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrrr RINA DI, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York have invented a certain new and useful liquid-Vending Machine, of which the following 1S a specification.

This invention is a machine or apparatus for vending liquids, more particularly beverages, and embodies a. structure WliiCll lS snnple in construction and eflicient in operation.

Among the features of the invention, though not exclusive of them, are the improved means for dispensing the liquid upon the introduction of a coin within the machine, the novel manner or" icing the fluid and the improved combinations of various elements entering into the structure as a whole.

The drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative only of the principle of the invention and what I now regard as the best ractical embodiment thereof, but not as efining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a central vertical section through the machine taken on line 22 of Figure 3; 1

Figure 3 is a transverse horizontal section taken on line 3-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 4: is a fragmental vertical section on the line of 4:4c of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmental vertical section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmental vertical section on line'6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a like section on the line 77 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detail section of a valve which I employ for the control of the flow of liquid;

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are detail perspective views of the coin receiving and adjunctive devices by which the operation of the machine is controlled; v

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a coin shoot associated with the machine.

Figure 13 is a front elevation thereof; and I Figure 14 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 but showing the parts associated with the coin in different operative positlons, 'Referring to the drawings, 1 is a casing closed at its bottom and open at its top. For manufacturing reasons the casing is preferably made in two superimposed parts which are permanently secured together as shown in Figure 2. In the preferred embodiment of the invention both the upper and lower parts of the casing are jacketed to provide a dead air space between the inner and outer wall which serves as a heat insulating medium. Positioned coeaxially of the casing 1 and interiorly thereof isa reservior 2 rigidly mounted within the casing 1 in any suitable manner. The reservoir 2 is preferably cylindrical in form, is closed at its bottom and open at itstop and is adapted to receive into its interior the neck of an inverted bottle or jar 3, which serves to feed the liquid to be dispensed into the reservoir 2 in the common and well known manner. a

in orderto preclude breakage of the bottle or tampering therewith, the bottle is preferably housed within an inverted cap or housing a, the lower open end of which seats on the top of the casing 1, and is provided with flanges for detachably securing the housing in place on the casing. The flanges 5, are preferably made quite large and are locked in placeuby rotatable fingers 6,"and when in closed position cover openings in the top of the casing and through which openings ice may be introduced into thecasings and around the reservoir 2 for the purpose of keeping the. liquid in the reservoir 0001. v The casing 1 with its superimposed bottle and adjunctive parts is supported on a suitable standard 8. Leading from the center of the bottom of the reservoir 2 isa draw-off or outlet pipe 9 which terminatesfin a faucet 10, through which the liquid contained in the reservoir 2 is dispensed, and included in the outlet pipe 9 at a point interiorly of the casing 1 is a valve 11 for controlling the dispensation of the liquid. The valve 11 is shown in detail section in Figure 8. With the valve 11 is associated a. measuring chamber or receptacle 12 best shown inFigureb, and said valve is provided with a three-way cock 13 which, when in the position of Figure 8, allows the liquid to-fiow from thereservoir 2 into a measuring receptacle 12 until the receptacle is filled, whereupon the rotation of the cock 13 through 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction will allow the liquid in the measuring receptacle 12 to flow out of the same and out through the faucet 10, at the same time said clock cutting ofi the flow of liquid from the reservoir 2 into the measuring receptacle.

In order that the amount of liquid to be dispensed may be actually determined, the

measuring receptacle 12 is formed of two threaded telescoping parts 14 and 15, so that through manipulation of the part 14 by screwing it into or out of the part 15, the volume of the measuring receptacle 12 may be actually determined and regulated. In order to preclude the receptacle 12 from over-flowing, there is positioned therein a float 16 which carries on its upper side a frusta-conical valve 17 which seats in the central opening in the top of the part 14. As liquid flows from the reservoir 2 into the measuring receptacle, the air in the receptacle is exhausted through the opening in the top thereof, but when the liquid fills the receptacle the float forces the valve 17 to its seat and precludes further flow of liquid in the receptacle. The float 16 is preferably provided with a stem 18 which extends loosely up through the top opening and has secured thereto a flexible connection 19 passing over directional rollers 20 and secured at its other end to the stem 21 of a weight 22. The weight 22 is loosely mounted for vertical sliding movement in a glass tube 23, positioned behind a sight opening 24 in the casing 1. The weight 22 is preferably highly colored so as to be readily observable through the side opening 24, and serves as an indicator to the intended purchaser as to the presence of the liquid to be vended in the measuring device.

In accordance with the present invention, the dispensation of the liquid through the rotation of the cook 13 is accomplished by means of a handle 25 to the operations of which said cock is normally irresponsive, but which cock may be placed in cooperative relative to the handle by employing the coin as a key. The coin is fed through a suitable coin slot and forms, in effect, a clutch element which serves to connect the handle to the cook 13 whereby rotation of the handle results in the dispensing of the liquid. In the preferred manner of carrying out the invention, the handle, coin directing means and associated parts are p0- sitioned within a housing 26, which is mounted in any suitable manner on the casing 1 in the position shown in Figure 1. The parts contained in this housing will now be described.

Journalled for rotation in the wall of the housing and positioned within the housing is a rotary member 27, shown in detail perspective in Figure 9, and in association with its other parts in Figures 6 and 14, and this member is fixed on a shaft 28 which extends to the outside of the housing and carries the handle 25, so that when the handle is rotated the rotary member 27 is simultaneously operated. Associated with member 27 is a coin chute 29 mounted in. rigid position on the wall of the casing by screws 29, and in the rotary member 27 is a slot 30 which is normally held in registration with the coin slot of the chute 29 by means of a spring 31. The slot in the housing 26 into which the coin is deposited by the intended purchaser is shown at 32 in Figures 6 and 14. l vhen a coin is dropped into the slot 32 it passes through the slot 30 in the rotary member and falls down the coin chute 29 into the position shown at x in Figure 13, a constricted portion 33 serving to preclude the passage of the coin down through the bottom of the chute. Mounted for free swinging movement on the shaft 28 is a swinging member 34 shown in detail in Figure 10, and this member serves as a carrier for tripping pawl 35 mounted on a pin 36. Formed in the swinging member 34 in juxtaposition with the coin shown in Figure 13 is a circular depressed seat 37 adapted to subsequently receive the coin in the manner presently described, and the tripping pawl 35 normally occupies the position back of the seat 37 whereby pivotal movement of the tripping pawl while the coin is in place on the seat 37, will disengage the coin from the seat. The tripping pawl is normally maintained in its retracted position shown in Figure 6 by a spring 39. It may be noted in passing that both the coin slot 29 and the tripping pawl 35 are provided with openings 38, the reason for which will be presently explained.

Mounted on the stem 40 of the cock 13 is an operating arm 41 which is connected by a link 42 to the swinging member 34, and it is through the operation of this swinging member acting through the link 42 on the arm 41 that the cock 13 is shifted from its normal position of Figure 8 to its dispensing position hereinbefore described. The cock is, however, maintained in its normal position of Figure 8 by means of a spring 43 acting on the arm 41 as shown in Figures 6 and 14. The operation of the parts will now be described, it being noted in this regard that the rotary member of Figure 9 is provided with an elongated curved tongue 44 which plays an important part in the operation of the device.

A coin having been deposited in the machine falls through the coin slot into: the position noted at a; in Figures 6 and 13.

The operator now turns the handle 25 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Figures 6 and 14 with the result that the rotary member 27 is moved in the same direction. The tongue 44 advances so that its end projects through the opening 38 in the coin slot (Figure 13) and engages with the front face of the coin, whereupon continued movement of the projection carries. a coin forwardly out of an opening in the back of the coin slot and deposits it in the seat 37 of the swinging member 34. 'The projection continues to force the coin ahead of it, and because of this carries alon the swinging member 34, oscillating it in a counterclockwise direction on the shaft 28. This movement of the swinging member 34 trans- .mits, through the link 42, movement of the arm 43 in a counter-clockwise direction, with the result that the cock 13 is turned to a position to dispense the liquid from the measuring receptacle 12 through the faucet 10. The operator holds the handle in position until the cup held under the faucet is filled, at which time the liquid will cease to flow, since the amount of liquid vended at each operation of the machine is calculated to just fill the cup. As soon as the handle is released the spring 31 operates to return the rotary member 37 to its initial position and simultaneously spring 43 returns the cock 13 to its initial position of Figure 8. As the cock turns back the arm 41 acts on the link 42 to return the swinging member 34 to its initial position of Figure 6, but during this retrograde movement of the swinging member the toe 45 of the tripping pawl 35 strikes against the stop 46 on the wall of the casing with the result that the pawl is tilted against the tension of its spring 39 into the position of Figure 14, and serves to kick the coin from its seat 37 and allow it to fall into the bottom of the housing 26. However, continued movement of the swinging member 34 carries the pawl beyond the stop 46, whereupon its spring 39 returns it to' its normal position of Figure 6. As soon as the cook 13 has arrived in its initial position of Figure 8, the liquid commences to flow in from the reservoir 2 and proceeds to fill the measuring receptacle 12 in the manner hereinbefore described. Should a person tamper with the machine by merely turning the handle without depositing a coin therein, the projection'44 will merely pass idly through the apertures 38 of the coin slot and tripping pawl 35 without in anywise operating the cook 13.

Although it is not essential, the machine has preferably associated therewith a catch basin 47 into which the water from the melted ice contained in the casing 1 drains through a hole 48. i The catch basin 47 is also arranged and shaped to catch the drip or waste water from the faucet 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and provides a perforated platform 49 on which a cup may rest while being filled. The catch basin may also be arranged to receive paper cups after use,

by providing a deposit opening covered by a pivoted flap or cover 50 as shown in Figurcsl, 3 and 5, so that by lifting the cover 50 used cups may be dropped into the catch basin. The catch basin is preferably divided into two chambers 51 and 52 separated by a perforated partition 53. The paper cups occupy the upper chamber 51, While the water sifts through partition 53 into the lower chamber 52 from which it may be drawn out from time to time through a valve outlet 54. With the machine may also be associated a coin controlled dispensing machine 55 for paper cups, which machine may be of any desired type and may be associated with theliquid vending machine in any suitable manner.

The receipts of the machine are collectec. in the base of the housing 26 from which they may be removed from time to time through a normally closed and locked door-57.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid dispensing machine embodying a casing, provided with a sight opening, a liquid supply reservoir positioned within the casing, a duct leading from the supply reservoir to the exterior of the casing, a measuring receptacle associated with the duct and a valve cooperating with the duct for placing the measuring receptacle in communication with the supply reservoir or with the outlet end of the duct, in combination with a float controlled valve associated with the measuring receptacle for allowing the air to be expelled from said receptacle when liquid flows thereinto and to seal said receptacle against overflowing when the re ceptacle has been filled, an indicating mem- 110 ber movable interiorly of the sight opening in the casing and operative connections between the indicator and the float operated valve, whereby the presence of liquid in the measuring receptacle may be visually indi- 115 cated.

2. A liquid dispensing machine embodying a casing, a liquid supply reservoir positioned within the casing, and having an opened top adapted to receive the neck of an 120 from the supply reservoir into the measuring receptacle and from the receptacle out of the casing, the supply reservoir being spaced from the interior of the casing to permit of the packing of ice about said reservoir and about the measuring receptacle, whereby the'liquid in the measuring receptacle as well as in the supply reservoir may be kept cool and refreshing.

3. A liquid dispensing machine embodying a casing, a liquid supply reservoir positioned within the casing, and having an opened top adapted to receive the neck of an inverted bottle, a housing enclosing said bottle, and means for detachably securing the housing in position to preclude access to the bottle by unauthorized persons, in combination with a pipe leading from the supply reservoir to the exterior of the casing, a measuring receptacle positioned within the casing and communicating with the pipe intermediate its length, a valve associated with the pipe for directing the flow of liquid from the supply reservoir into the measur- .ing receptacle and from the receptacle out of the casing, the supply reservoir being spaced from the interior of the casing to permit of the packing of ice about said reservoir and about the measuring receptacle, whereby the liquid in the measuring receptacle as well as in the supply reservoir may be kept cool and refreshing, and a closure associated with the casing to permit of the introduction of ice into said casing, said closure being formed to simultaneously seal the casing and lock the housing in position.

i. A liquid dispensing machine embodying a casing, a liquid supply reservoir positioned within the casing, a pipe leading from the supply reservoir to the exterior of the casing, a measuring receptacle positione'd within the casing and cooperating with said pipe intermediate its length and adjacent its outlet end, and a valve associated with the pipe for directing the flow of liquid from the reservoir into the measuring receptacle and directly from the measuring receptacle out of the machine, the reservoir being spaced from the interior of the casing whereby ice may be packed in the casing around the reservoir and measuring receptacle for the purpose of keeping the liquid to be dispensed cool and refreshing.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH RINALDI. 

